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THE SWARTLAND - WESTERN CAPE
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The Swartland - Swartland Attractions
and Destinations, Western Cape: The Swartland, otherwise known as the wheat and
rooibos-producing part of the Western Cape, lies between Malmesbury in the south, across the
Riebeek Valley to Piketberg in the north, Darling in the west, to the Oliphants Mountain
at Porterville in the east. It begins only 50 kilometres outside of Cape Town making it
fairly accessible to visitors, and its undulating wheat fields, vineyards and deep river
valleys have been the topic of many a photographer’s lens.
This incredibly beautiful, yet often overlooked, area is named for its wide fertile plains
that, after the rains in winter, turn black (swart land means black land in Afrikaans).
The wide, fertile plains are filled with golden wheat fields that have contributed to its
status as the bread basket of the Cape. There are as many landscapes as there are seasons
and the blazing wheat is interspersed with wine, fruit and olive plantations that give
rise to a patchwork quilt of colour.
Darling, close to Cape Town and the highlight of many visits to this region, is home to
Evita se Perron, the popular theatre and signature landmark of long time resident Pieter
Dirk Uys that combines a restaurant with a little cabaret theatre.
Many of the vines on the Swartland wine route, which are visibly sign-posted and stretch
throughout the region, grow under dryland conditions in bush form, which means they are
not watered, resulting in a particularly excellent quality and flavour of wine, much
sought after for blending with wine from irrigated vineyards.
Included within the parameters of the Swartland, the Riebeek Valley has fast become a draw
card for artists and those seeking alternative country-style living. Riebeek West and
Riebeek Kasteel, twin towns that lie virtually on top of one another at the foot of the
Kasteelberg, are extremely popular and worth a visit. |
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THE SWARTLAND - DESTINATIONS
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  Darling: The charming little village of
Darling lies between vineyards and golden wheat fields only 75km from Cape Town along the
West Coast road and 25km from the beach at Yzerfontein. Traditionally known for its
spectacular wildflowers, Darling has much more to offer visitors. Darling has become the
... more about Darling
Info » |
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 Elands Bay:
Eland’s Bay is one of those gems that have managed to elude the rush of development
and city dwellers to stake their claim on a piece of the coast - this is sand and sea with
little else to lure the average holiday maker. Verlorenvlei (lost natural wetland) - one
of the biggest estuaries on ... more about Eland's Bay »
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 Koringberg: Koringberg may be one of the lesser
known villages in the Swartland, but the Koringberg mountain biking trail is slowly
putting the town on the map. This day ride, to a secret destination that rises up from the
normally flat Swartland, is a guided bike tour that purports to start with an easy ...
more about Koringberg
» |
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 Malmesbury: The main town of the
Swartland lies at the centre of one of the country's most important wheat-producing areas.
Just outside town, the Swartland Wine Cellar and the Italian Cheese Factory offer
delicious tastings. The Bread-and-Wine Cycling Trail starts and ends in Malmesbury,
winding ... more about Malmesbury » |
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 Morreesburg: Not only is Morreesburg the
heart of a strong farming community but it also has one of only three wheat museum’s
in the world. This one in particular attracts tourists and it’s a bonus that the
local high school has now opened an art gallery, displaying over seventy local and
recognised artists ... more about Morreesburg » |
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 Piketberg: The small, farming town of
Piketberg lies at the foot of the Piketberg Mountain range, surrounded by fields of wheat
that change colour with the seasons - from reddish brown to golden yellow in summer, and
green in winter; vineyards, fruit farms and beautiful examples of indigenous fynbos ...
more about Piketberg
» |
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 Porterville: Porterville is a quaint
town nestled on the slopes of the Olifant's River Mountains. Situated 140 kilmetres from
Cape Town, Porterville is a friendly, welcoming town which is well known amongst locals as
the paragliding and hang gliding capital of the Western Cape. Porterville attracts para
... more about Porterville » |
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 Riebeek West: One of two comparable
towns lying in the stunning Riebeek Valley - Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel - with views
that have had many a day tripper making rash decisions to relocate, Riebeek West might be
regarded as the Cinderella of the two, but has its own draw cards - beautiful old ... more
about Riebeek
West » |
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SWARTLAND ATTRACTIONS
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 The Swartland,
an area synonymous with wheat and sheep farming, is just 40 minutes’ drive north of
Cape Town. Meaning ‘black country’ and named after the indigenous Renosterbos,
which turns a dark colour at a certain time of the year, the wine route extends from Darling
on ... more about Swartland Wine
Route » |
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 Come and experience the farming life at the annual Swartlandshow in
Moorreesburg. This award winning show is the biggest agricultural show in the Western Cape
and promises to be an educating and fun filled event for the whole family. There will be
14 livestock championships hosted, including ... more about Swartland
Show » |
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 The Groot Winterhoek Wilderness area, with its extraordinary rock formations
and popular hiking routes, lies about 120 km north of Cape Town. It is situated in the
Groot Winterhoek mountain range, north of Tulbagh and east of
Porterville. The area comprises 30 608 ha, of which 19 200 ha ... more about Groot
Winterhoek » |
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| The hub of the Swartland is Malmesbury, a vibrant
blend of rural atmosphere and modern day living. Situated only 40 minutes drive from Cape
Town this town is within commuting distance; an opportunity that more and more people are
taking to get the best of both worlds as they consider a 40-minute ... Swartland Review |
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